Papa Dan and Grandma Bdoe got the boys 3 train sets for Christmas. They have been playing with them almost non-stop for the last two days. George built a table for them this afternoon so we could eat on our dining room table again. Once the table in the garage was set up, the boys spent I think 3 hours in there pushing the trains around with an occasional "choo, choo".
Our family has been growing exponentially the past few years. With the addition of husbands and children to the clan of seven daughters, we just don't fit in my parent's house for holidays anymore. The solution came this year in the form of a tent. It was a stroke of brilliance. It cost more to rent one than to buy it on ebay. So we'll be in the tent for future holidays. It's 16'x20' and it fit nicely on my parent's lawn. Of course it's carpeted, half the family is in the carpet/flooring business. It was heated, cozy and the christmas lights lit up the night beautifully.
When they've had sufficient time to sleep, we pull into the second set of Grandparents and play some more. It's a full two days. We are blessed to be surrounded by so much family.
Our "Cavity" Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
We met up with some old friends for a couple days in Lake Tahoe. Daniel and Alanna had a great time sledding together.
and crashing...
and making snow angels
By the time we got around to sledding, Vincent had fallen asleep in the truck. We let him sleep for awhile, but not wanting him to miss out on all the fun, I eventually woke him up....bad idea. We was not loving the sledding. We snatched him up for a couple runs which he enjoyed, but then started crying again.
By the time we left, Vincent had cheered up and enjoyed a ride back to the truck with his big brother.
Alanna is smack in the middle of Daniel and Vincent age-wise.
After several really long months of George working long hours, nights and weekends, we finally got a little break and some much needed family hang out time. We went to Old Sacramento and visited the Train Museum. It was great, all the boys loved it including George. We looked into going on the Polar Express, but apparently tickets were sold out in late October. Maybe we'll plan ahead next year. We got a sneak peak at the train which was in the building to the right in the above photo.
We ate lunch at a dive and then headed to the Train Museum. While hanging out on the corner, George does a quick head count to make sure we have all the boys, worried he asks me "Where's Gavin". He was on George's hip.
Daniel and Vincent were both really serious about decorating the Christmas tree. Vincent stuck five bells on the same branch. There are only ornaments on the top two feet of the tree because Gavin rips them all off which a vengeance. We're lucky the tree hasn't fallen over with the way he pulls at the lights.
Gavin is just now getting his first tooth at 12 1/2 months old. It's not where we would have guessed either.
Christmas tree shopping at the Home Depot
There was some snow/ice on the ground from the trees being unloaded. The boys had a great time smashing it. Maybe in a couple years we'll be adventurous enough to go to the Christmas tree farm and cut one down. This year, this worked and it was just about all we could handle with our three little guys.
Gavin has this great smile. He's a happy kid...except for between 4-6pm which is post nap/pre-dinner. Everyone is grouchy then.
Gavin has been trying to talk more and more. This is the face he makes when trying to verbally communicate. Regardless of what he's trying to say, he usually makes this Ooooooh face very intently.
Daniel is still enjoying his photography.
Sweet Vincent loves to play and ride bikes. I think I'm ready to get rid of the double jogger already since Vincent likes to ride his bike around the neighborhood. I'm back to using the single jogger on walks and my jogging career is non-existent this year. I've never been so out of shape in my life. I'm hoping to go snowboarding for the first time since I got pregnant with Daniel this year, but we might just have to go for a half day to start.
We can see snow from our living room! Well, we can every year which is cool. It snowed yesterday morning and it even stayed on the ground for awhile. It was so pretty the next morning with all the hills around us covered in the white stuff.
Happy Thanksgiving!"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."Philippians 4:4-7
Services will be held for Sylvia Wolmuth on
Friday, November 27 at 11:00 A.M. (Viewing at 10:00 A.M.)
at Sneider Sullivan & O’Connell’s
977 S. El Camino Real
San Mateo , CA 94402
650 343-1804
Gavin is now one, an official toddler. We had a full day. He weighs 20 lbs, 29 1/2" tall, 13%. Gavin is such a good kid, patient, happy, playful. He loves to play with his brothers and climb anywhere he can. He's usually got a huge smile on his face and we just love having him in our family.
Vincent really enjoyed the cake.
So did Daniel.
Sweet sisters, Melody and Faye
There were a lot of kids at Gavin's birthday party. It's the first one we hosted indoors and there were about 30 people there...keeping it to mainly just immediate family. It was pretty loud and crazy with all the kids, but once the cake got served up, the whole house was quiet.
Sylvia Lillian Wolmuth
Gavin is turning one tomorrow. That year went fast. It's the end of an era for me. For the past five years solid I've been pregnant, nursing or both. Gavin finished nursing two days ago. We were down to two feedings a day,but he likes the sippy cup just fine. I loved nursing my babies, but I'm relieved it's over. There's an extra hour or two or three in my day that I didn't have before. I'll miss that quiet time with the little guy though...okay, it usually isn't quiet except for that first feeding in the morning, who am I kidding.
Vincent sticks his hands in his pockets like this, it takes him a couple minutes to accomplish this, especially in his skinny jeans. But once the hands are in place, he looks up and says "What's up dude!".
Daniel cooperated long enough for this shot. He's such a goof ball when I try to take picture of him.
The boys have been going to their ABC's class, we learn a letter each week. I volunteered to take the class photo and since I had my camera, I shot some during class too.
Poor Gavin is at that age where he looks beat up all the time. He takes some spills and other times, life is rough with big brothers. We're not sure exactly how he smashed his lip, but there was plenty of blood and a nice fat lip. So sad. He's also got sort of a black eye, from a trip down the step in the garage. Learning to walk is rough. The fat lip will be a great bonus for all of his happy birthday pictures tomorrow.
I used to swing right here growing up. Grandpa re-installed the rope swing.
We just rearranged all the car seats in the back seat of our pickup. Gavin had been in his infant carrier for a bit too long. Daniel graduated to a booster, and Vincent moved from the middle to the window seat. Vincent was the only one who kept the same car seat, but he was the most excited about his "new car seat". I guess he likes sitting by the window.
Our local Biker Gang
We went on a hike through a beautiful Sycamore Grove, there were meadows and creeks with bridges and piles of dirt to upturn and rocks to throw in the water. It was a gorgeous day and we loved spending it outside.
Here is Vincent low riding on his new bike. He came home after going on a ride with his daddy and stood up to pedal saying: "Look mom, I'm standing up just like daddy."
